Expansive new mitigation requirements

IN NOVEMBER, the Obama Administration adopted an expansive set of mitigation objectives for all its natural resource management agencies. Under the voluntary policy, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Department of the Interior (DOI),
Department of Agriculture (USDS), Department of Defense
(DOD), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) will aim “to avoid and then minimize harmful effects to
land, water, wildlife, and other ecological resources (natural resources) caused by land- or water-disturbing activities, and to
ensure that any remaining harmful effects” are effectively
mitigated.